Ultrasonic devices include a transducer having a piezoelectric element therein that may operate as an acoustic signal receiving surface and/or an acoustic signal generating surface. At least one acoustic matching layer is provided on the piezoelectric element. This at least one acoustic matching layer may be configured as a composite of N acoustic matching layers, with a first of the N acoustic matching layers contacting the primary surface of the piezoelectric element. This first acoustic matching layer may have an acoustic impedance equivalent to Z.sub.L1, where N is a positive integer greater than zero. In some embodiments of the invention, the magnitude of Z.sub.L1 may be defined as: 0.75 ((Z.sub.p).sup.N+1(Z.sub.g)).sup.1/(N+2)Z.sub.L11.25 ((Z.sub.p).sup.N+1(Z.sub.g)).sup.1/(N+2), where Z.sub.p is the acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric element (e.g., lead zirconate titanate (PZT)) and Z.sub.g is the acoustic impedance of a compatible gas.

Ultrasound transducer assemblies and associated systems and method are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an ultrasound transducer assembly includes at least one matching layer overlies a transducer layer. A plurality of kerfs extends at least into the matching layer. In some aspects, the kerfs are at least partially filled with a filler material that includes microballoons and/or microspheres.

A high frequency ultrasound array having a number of transducer elements that are formed in sheet of piezoelectric material. A frame having a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the piezoelectric material surrounds the piezoelectric material and is separated from the piezoelectric material by an epoxy material. Kerf cuts that define the individual elements in the sheet of piezoelectric material extend across a full width of the sheet. In some embodiments, sub-dice kerf cuts that divide a single transducer element into two or more sub-elements also extend all the way across the width of the sheet. A lens positioned in front of the transducer elements can have a radius machined therein to focus ultrasound signals. The frame, transducer elements and lens are bent or curved with the desired radius to focus ultrasound signals.

An ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric element that extends in a predetermined direction; a first electrode formed on a first surface of the piezoelectric element, in parallel with the direction, the first electrode including: a first portion for inputting an electrical signal to the piezoelectric element, and a first connection portion formed continuously with the first portion and intersecting the direction, wherein a first wiring is electrically connected to the first connection portion; and a second electrode disposed on a second surface, oppose to the first surface, of the piezoelectric element and spaced apart from the first electrode in the piezoelectric element, the second electrode including: a second portion for inputting an electric signal to the piezoelectric element, and a second connection portion formed continuously with the second portion, wherein a second wiring is electrically connected to the second connection portion and collectively arranged with the first wiring.

In one aspect, matching layers for an ultrasonic transducer stack having a matching layer comprising a matrix material loaded with a plurality of micron-sized and nano-sized particles. In another aspect, the matrix material is loaded with a plurality of heavy and light particles. In another aspect, an ultrasound transducer stack comprises a piezoelectric layer and at least one matching layer. In one aspect, the matching layer comprises a composite material comprising a matrix material loaded with a plurality of micron-sized and nano-sized particles. In a further aspect, the composite material can also comprise a matrix material loaded with a plurality of heavy and light particles. In a further aspect, a matching layer can also comprise cyanoacrylate.

An ultrasonic imaging apparatus and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes: a user interface to receive an input signal of a user and a power-supply unit. The power-supply unit includes a plurality of power-supply groups to provide power-supply signals for respectively driving a plurality of elements, and a power-supply processor to search for power data corresponding to the received input signal from among predetermined power data and to adjust power-supply signals applied to respective elements corresponding to the plurality of power-supply groups according to the searched power data.

An acoustic matching structure is used to increase the power radiated from a transducing element with a higher impedance into a surrounding acoustic medium with a lower acoustic impedance. The acoustic matching structure consists of a thin, substantially planar cavity bounded by a two end walls and a side wall. The end walls of the cavity are formed by a blocking plate wall and a transducing element wall separated by a short distance (less than one quarter of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium at the operating frequency). The end walls and side wall bound a cavity with diameter approximately equal to half of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium. In operation, a transducing element generates acoustic oscillations in the fluid in the cavity. The transducing element may be an actuator which generates motion of an end wall in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the cavity to excite acoustic oscillations in the fluid in the cavity, and the cavity geometry and resonant amplification increase the amplitude of the resulting pressure oscillation. The cavity side wall or end walls contain at least one aperture positioned away from the center of the cavity to allow pressure waves to propagate into the surrounding acoustic medium.

An ultrasonic probe includes: a piezoelectric element; and a backing material including a matrix resin and thermally conductive particles, arranged on one direction side with respect to the piezoelectric element, wherein a ratio of thermal conductivity of the backing material in a thickness direction to the thermal conductivity of the backing material in a horizontal direction is 3 or more.

An apparatus of the disclosure is directed to conical structure of an ultrasonic transducer. The conical structure may have a first circumference and a second circumference, respectively located at opposite ends of the conical structure, where the first circumference has a greater length than the second circumference. An angle may be formed between a plane including the second circumference and a surface of the conical structure, and a distance may be formed between the first and second circumferences. A rim may be coupled at or adjacent to the first circumference of the conical structure. An ultrasonic transducer may be coupled to the second circumference of the conical structure.

An apparatus of the disclosure is directed to an elongated polygon transducer membrane having a perimeter that includes a plurality of edges and a plurality of vertices. The elongated polygon transducer membrane may be fixed to a support structure at or around a plurality of the vertices and not fixed to the support structure at more than 50% of the perimeter. The apparatus of the disclosure may be an elongated hexagon transducer membrane having a perimeter comprising six edges and six vertices. The elongated hexagon transducer membrane may be fixed to a support structure at or around two vertices of the six vertices that are most distant from each other and not fixed at the other vertices or the edges of the perimeter.